2018 Summary - Part 1 - Kings of War

Greetings!

The end of the year is always a good opportunity to look back and reflect upon the plans and goals made 365 days ago. There are a few hours left of 2018 and I am very happy to say that by all means it was a good year. Also for the hobby!

I find it quite interesting to see what I planned and achieved in the last year but also to notice that there were some surprised and unexpected turns of events. However, these were not bad experiences, quite the contrary. It simply reminds me that one should be always prepared to seize the moment when new opportunity arises. Even it may often mean rearrangement of the initial plans. 

2018 was certainly such a year for me and for that reason I titled this post: 2018 - Part 1. It is because there was a little unexpected development of my hobby interests. But that will be covered in Part 2. First post it dedicated to Kings of War, the game I greatly enjoyed playing this year. And I by all means I want to invest even more into in  2019!

There are a few aspects I would like to cover that are related to Kings of War as a system, so let's start with the games!

Game 105 - Night Stalkers - 2018/12/27

Greetings!

Last few months I played regular games against Jeff using Universal Battle 2.  It was a great series of battles and it seemed quite fitting that the very last game of 2018 for me would be against Jeff and his Night Stalkers army.

It was also another great opportunity to play under new Clash of Kings 2019 updated rules. There is quite a lot to consider now, I must admit, so to resist the temptation to change too many things at the same time, I followed my own rule and tried to stick to the same army I played with last time. 

Jeff usually has the opposite approach and he tries to test as many things as possible. However, he kept the same faction, Night Stalkers and it seemed to me that the core of the army remained the same. It is all about those additional heroes and units he incorporates in his force that make the difference in the end. Here are the details of his army for this game:

Night Stalkers - Army List

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling

- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- Shadow Hulk,  Monster, Crushing Strength (3), Strider, This unit is not Stealthy

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling
- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- Shadow Hulk,  Monster, Crushing Strength (3), Strider, This unit is not Stealthy

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling
- Butcher Fleshripper, Hero, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Stealthy, Mindthirst, Surge (3)
- Shadow Hulk,  Monster, Crushing Strength (3), Strider, This unit is not Stealthy 

20 Scarecrows, Infantry, Regiment, Shambling
- Butcher Fleshripper, Hero, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Stealthy, Mindthirst, Surge (3) 

20 Scarecrows, Infantry, Regiment, Shambling
- Butcher Fleshripper, Hero, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Stealthy, Mindthirst, Surge (3)

Game 104 - League of Rhordia - 2018/12/26

Greetings!

It seems to me that Universal Battle 2 platform gains more and more popularity among Kings of War players. Thanks to that I had a great pleasure to have a game against a player I have never played before. Although I bet we attended some tournaments together, it just happened that we did not end up playing against each other then.

Jeff wanted to use this opportunity to get more familiar with Universal Battle as well. But what better way than to play the game and simply discuss subtleties of the platform during the battle? 

I am always happy to share what I know about it. The more players embark on it - the better! What is more Jeff is also playing with not that popular faction among Kings of War players - League of Rhordia. This faction seem to have quite a lot of options in terms of army composition so I was very curious what are the units Jeff likes the most. 

On top of that we have just received our copies of CoK2019 and were very keen to try out new options and implement changes as soon as possible. 

Here are the details of the army list Jeff brought to our game:

League of Rhordia - Army List

6 Honor Guard, Horde, Large Cavalry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (2), Iron Resolve, Maccwar’s Potion of the Caterpillar

- Halfling Volley Gun, War Engine, Piercing (2), Range 24", Reload!

- Halfling Iron Beast, Monster, Breath Attack (10), Crushing Strength (2), Thunderous Charge (1), Strider

- Duke on Ancient Winged Aralez, Hero, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Heal (4), Thunderous Charge (1), Very Inspiring, Mind Fog (1), Healing Brew

 40 Halfling Archers, Horde, Infantry, Bows, Stealthy

- Halfling Volley Gun, Piercing (2), Range 24", Reload!

- Duke on Ancient Winged Aralez, Hero, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Heal (4), Thunderous Charge (1), Very Inspiring, Mind Fog (1), Blade of Slashing

Household Knights, Regiment, Cavalry, Fury, Thunderous Charge (2), Brew of Haste

- Battle Shrine, Hero, Large Cavalry, Lightning Bolt (5), Rallying! (2) 

We've Had Second Breakfast - Formation

40 Halfling Spearlings, Horde, Infantry, Phalanx, Stealthy, Ensnare, Defense 4+

- Master Seargeant, Hero, Cavalry, Elite, Individual, Stealthy, Ensnare, Thunderous Charge (1), Very Inspiring (Halflings Only)

20 Halfling Spearlings, Regiment, Infantry, Phalanx, Stealthy, Ensnare, Defense 4+

- Wizard, Hero, Cavalry, Individual, Blizzard (2), Fireball (6), Inspiring Talisman

20 Halfling Spearlings, Regiment, Infantry, Phalanx, Stealthy, Ensnare, Defense 4+

Game 103 - Night Stalkers - 2018/12/25

Greetings!

Since the next big tournament, Australian Clash of Kings, is increasing the size of the armies to 2250 points, Jeff and I decided to start playing at this level.

We came back to our respective armies. I used the opportunity to add completely new elements to the army.

Please note that we played that game prior to the release of CoK2019 so the army lists were composed under the rules for CoK2018.

Jeff made some changes to the core of the force and also added something new. It is still, however, the force with Night Stalkers as the main army and Trident Realm allies.

Night Stalkers - Army List

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling

- Void Lurker, Hero, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Regeneration (5+), Thunderous Charge (1), This unit is not Stealthy, Darklord’s Onyx Ring
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- 10 Phantoms, Infantry, Troop, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Shambling
- Planar Apparition, Monster, Ensnare, Heal (7), Nimble, Pathfinder, Regeneration (4+)

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling
- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling

- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble

20 Spectres, Infantry, Regiment, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)

- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble

20 Spectres, Infantry, Regiment, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)

Trident Realms - Allies

20 Thuul, Infantry, Regiment, Ensnare, Stealthy

- Thuul Mythican, Hero, Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Ensnare, Individual, Inspiring (Thuul Only), Stealthy, Alchemist Curse

20 Thuul, Infantry, Regiment, Ensnare, Stealthy

20 Thuul, Infantry, Regiment, Ensnare, Stealthy

Mortem et Gloriam - Game 16 - 2018/12/15

Hello!

It seems that the interest in Mortem Et Gloriam is growing and more players decide to give it a go. I was very happy I could meet David and introduce him to the new system. 

It also happened that a small one day event was organized in Canberra, MiniMeG II and it seemed like a perfect coincidence to have an introductory game and a practice battle at the same time. Since MiniMeG was organized as an opportunity for new players to learn the basics of the game, it was limited to 7000 points per army. We were also using Magna version of the rules, meaning that units would be smaller. However, the assumption was that it would allow to play games in shorter period of time too.

David said he has a few armies but Teutonic Order seemed to be the easiest one to prepare to the new format and system, so he went for this force this time. I played against Medieval armies before and I found it quite interesting regardless of the historical inaccuracy. Here are the details of the army David brought to our game (I apologize in advance for any mistakes and/or inconsistencies):

Teutonic Orders - Army List

Commanders

Army Commander - Talented Professional

Subordinate General 1 - Competent Professional

Camp

TuGs

4 Brother Knights - Cavalry, Formed Loose, Superior, Fully Armored, Charging Lancer, Devastating Chargers, Melee Expert
6 Best Crusader Knights - Cavalry, Superior, Fully Armored, Charging Lancer, Devastating Chargers, Melee Experts
4 Turcopoles - Cavalry, Drilled Flexible, Average, Unprotected, Experienced, Javelin, Short Spear

4 Brother Spearmen - Infantry, Formed Close, Average, Protected, Short Spear, Shield Cover
4 Brother Spearmen - Infantry, Formed Close, Average, Protected, Short Spear, Shield Cover
4 Brother Crossbowmen - Infantry, Formed Loose, Average, Protected, Experienced, Crossbow
4 Brother Crossbowmen - Infantry, Formed Loose, Average, Protected, Experienced, Crossbow
4 Militia Spearmen - Infantry, Formed Close, Average, Protected, Short Spear, Shieldwall

4 Militia Spearmen - Infantry, Formed Close, Average, Protected, Short Spear, Shieldwall

4 Militia Spearmen - Infantry, Formed Close, Average, Protected, Short Spear, Shieldwall

 

SuG's

 

4 Skirmishing Archers - Infantry, Skirmisher, Average, Unprotected, Experienced Bow, Combat Shy

4 Skirmishing Archers - Infantry, Skirmisher, Average, Unprotected, Experienced Bow, Combat Shy

 

My army under Magna was as follows:

 

Seleucids - Army List

Commanders

Army Commander - Talented Professional

Subordinate General 1 - Talented Professional

Subordinate General 2 - Mediocre Professional

 

Camp

Camp - Poor, Protected

TuGs

6 Argyraspides - Infantry, Drilled Close, Superior, Protected, Pike, Shove

6 Phalangites - Infantry, Drilled Close, Average, Protected, Pike, Shove

6 Phalangites - Infantry, Drilled Close, Average, Protected, Pike, Shove

6 Thracians - Infantry, Formed Loose, Average, Protected, Devastating Charger, Melee Expert

4 Companions - Cavalry, Drilled Loose, Superior, Protected, Charging Lancer, Melee Expert

4 Line Cavalry - Cavalry, Drilled Loose, Average, Protected, Charging Lancer, Melee Expert

SuG's

4 Tarentine Cavalry - Cavalry, Skirmisher, Average, Protected, Javelin, Experienced, Cantabrian
4 Horse Archers - Cavalry, Skirmisher, Average, Unprotected, Bow, Experienced, Cantabrian

4 Cretan Archers - Infantry, Skirmisher, Average, Unproteced, Bow, Skilled, Combat Shy

Game 102 - Night Stalkers vs Abyssal Dwarfs - 2018/12/01

Greetings!

Today's report is going to be a bit different. Jeff and I have played quite a few games so far in order to help him decide on the army list he wanted to take to Australian Masters. He made a final call and submitted his army list. It was Night Stalkers force with Trident Realm allies. 

The interesting part about Australian Masters is that the first round is decided by the position in the ranking (so 1st player plays vs 2nd, 3rd vs 4th and so on) and it is also an army swap battle. It means that players are going to use their opponent's army to fight against their own force.

As a part of the preparation Jeff wanted to have a game in such setting. I was more than happy to play with his force! In fact, I got a chance to play with it before him, as he has not used it yet at that stage! Here are the details of his army list:

Night Stalkers - Army List

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling

- Void Lurker, Hero, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Regeneration (5+), Thunderous Charge (1), This unit is not Stealthy, Darklord’s Onyx Ring
- 10 Spectres, Infantry, Troop, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)
- 10 Spectres, Infantry, Troop, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)

40 Scarecrows, Infantry, Horde, Shambling
- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble, Staying Stone

- 10 Spectres, Infantry, Troop, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)
- 10 Spectres, Infantry, Troop, Firebolt, Pathfinder, Piercing(1)

3 Fiends, Large Cavalry, Regiment, Crushing Strength (1), Vicious

- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble, Dwarven Ale

3 Fiends, Large Cavalry, Regiment, Crushing Strength (1), Vicious

- Dread-Fiend, Hero, Large Cavalry,  Crushing Strength (2), Vicious, Nimble, Diadem of Dragon-kind

Trident Realms - Allies

20 Thuul, Infantry, Regiment, Ensnare, Stealthy
- Thuul Mythican, Hero, Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Ensnare, Individual, Inspiring (Thuul Only), Stealthy


20 Thuul, Infantry, Regiment, Ensnare, Stealthy

It turned out that Jeff would be playing with Abyssal Dwarfs with some Forces of the Abyss allies against his own force. Here is the list:

Abyssal Dwarfs - Army List

6 Abyssal Grotesques, Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Regeneration (5+), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious
- Ba'su'su the Vile[1], Hero (infantry), Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Individual, Inspiring (Gargoyles only), Regeneration (5+), Vicious
- 10 Gargoyles, Fly, Regeneration (3+), Vicious
- 10 Gargoyles, Fly, Regeneration (3+), Vicious

6 Abyssal Grotesques, Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Regeneration (5+), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious
- Brakki Barka[1], Hero (Cavalry), Bhardoom! (Extremely Inspiring - 12" range), Crushing Strength (3), Individual, Regeneration (5+), Vicious

6 Abyssal Grotesques, Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Regeneration (5+), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious
- Taskmaster: Slave Driver on Chariot, Hero (Large Cavalry), Base Size (50mm x 100mm), Inspiring (Slave Orcs only), Nimble, Thunderous Charge (2), Vicious

20 Slave Orcs, Regiment, Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Vicious, Yellow-Bellied

20 Slave Orcs, Regiment, Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Vicious, Yellow-Bellied 

Forces of the Abyss - Allies

40 Lower Abyssals, Infantry, Horde, Fury, Regeneration (5+)

40 Lower Abyssals, Infantry, Horde, Fury, Regeneration (5+)